The world's water resources are scarce and, in the long run, cannot be substituted contrary to many other raw materials and energy carriers on our planet. Using water sparingly and responsible in terms of sustainability are the need of the moment in times of ever growing scarcity of resources worldwide. This includes the recovery and reuse of the valuable constituents contained within wastewater after human consumption in households, industry and agriculture. Equally important for human life and the development of efficient economies is security of energy supply. In view of the looming problems resulting from population growth, urbanisation and the global climate change we need new concepts and interdisciplinary approaches to ensure safe water supply and hygienic sanitation with as low as possible energy requirements. A view of the topic beyond the mere engineering approach requires the increasing awareness for water and responsibility of doctoral students and researchers.
Raising this awareness among young engineers is one of the main aims of the Huber Technology Foundation which was founded at the initiative of Dr.-Ing. E.h. Hans Huber on 16 May 2006 with a Certificate of Recognition from the Upper Palatinate government. The Foundation has its registered office at Berching. Another goal of the Huber Technology Foundation is to increase the public awareness for the element water and symbolise the idea of sustainability.
The Foundation's fundamental matters are decided by an executive committee consisting of Prof. Dr. Martin Grambow (Bavarian Environmental Ministry), Georg Huber (CEO of HUBER SE), Werner Thumann (Managing Director Landscape Conservation Association Neumarkt i.d.OPf.) and Markus Treu (Wirtschaftsprüfungsanstalt l&b treuhand). The members of the board of management of the Foundation are Prof. Dr. Franz Bischof (CEO) and Bettina Huber (vice CEO).
To achieve its goals the Foundation supports science and research as well as projects in the field of "sustainable use of water" which have special relevance for the problems described above. A very special campaign is an international student competition they organise every two years. Students and researchers are invited to submit new ideas and concepts, their final thesis or diploma thesis on a specific subject. The HUBER Technology Prize is officially awarded during the international trade fair IFAT, the most important international exhibition for the water sector. The prize worth 10,000 Euro is handed over by the Bavarian Environmental Minister and shows the high importance this internationally well-known and renowned competition has gained meanwhile.
The Huber Technology Foundation now goes a new way: We have bought some ground near Berching where a sustainability park will be built, the Huber-Natur-Park, which is planned as a commitment to future generations following the idea of sustainability. The first trees will be planted together with children to demonstrate the circle of nature and increase the appreciation of water as the essence of life, growth and food in our region. Beside projects like this the Huber Technology Foundation serves the purpose of financially supporting conferences, workshops and seminars, or investing in water or climate projects in Germany and internationally.